The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-02-03

leisure to mediate upon the
upon the two girls. / blamed myself
for being hard-hearted because I could
not feel the sorrow at Lina's loss
which it seemed to me that ought to
experience. and Theresa's bright eyes
and sweet mouth would rise before my
mental vision in most unaccustomed
way. really felt quite grateful to
Kitty for what was sure was little
article on her part to convince me how
little Lima hsd actually cared for me.
although her scheme had succeeded
beyond her widest hopes.
A few more hours convinced all nv
physicians that the angel Of death had
not been sent for me, and though
was i'll for several weeks, was at last
restored to my usual health. In the
days Of my convalescence Theresa fre-
quently came to read or sing to me,
and my eyes now being open to her
virtues found myself getting seriously
in love with her.
One day | surprised her by saying:
by the way. Theresa, when is my
old sweetheart, Feroline Palmer going
to be married?''
why, hasn't Litty told you? Her
engagement to Harold Carter was
broken off in less than fortnight. It
turned out that he was already married.
though separated from his wife, and
her father made such talk about it
that Harold disappeared.
..And left Lima in the lurch, Ell?
Well she got her pay for jilting me
much sooner than fancied she would.
Why do you look so surprised? Did
you believe the story she told Kitty?
There was not word of truth in it.
"But you had your own ring on, and
the box where you kept her letters was
unlocked and empty. Kitty said she
looked into things to see if she was
misjudging. Feroline in disbelieving
what she had said.''
%, Lima was cute; she took her
letters and changed the rings when she
was left alone with her so-called dead
lover" | replied, incautiously.
20, Fred. you must not be 50 unjust.
so bitter! Probably that blow on your
head made you forget what had happen
ed that morning; she is free now" and
Theresa gave faint sigh. and | saw
the corners of her mouth droop.
.Yes, she's free and likely to remain
80; she cant play her game forever.
She is cold-hearted. mercenary flirt!''
Theresa thought my " rds were in
duced by wounded pride. So she tried
to console me.
..Feroline has been to inquire for
you ever 50 many times. ard told Kit
ty that l thought she ought to bring
her up to see you.'
No, nor thought I; Kitty knows
better by my silence about her that l
have lost my interest in her."
These were my thoughts, but, rs /
said not q word, Theresa continued:
..She sent you those lovely roses
which you have been admiring.'
Ibid she?'' exclaimed eagerly.
please hand them to me-
Theresa did so, fully expecting to see
me press them to my lips, and not at
all anticipating that would take and
fling them into the bright fire which
glowed in the CRATE before me.
why, Fred!' she cried in amaze
ment.
There goes her gift, and there goes
my fancy for her-if there was any of it
left, that is. That blow on my thick
skull, Tressie, convinced my dull intel
lect that had ssbeen mistaking pinch
back for gold. What fool was to
have looked at Lima when you were
still unmarried, and therefore free to
be lovedr'
..Fred!" gasped Theresa; but checked
her flow Of words by the usual means
that lovers employ.
When Kitty came into the room .
little later to see about my luncheon
the archhypocrite pretended to be inn
mensely surprised to see the close en-
brace in which she found the two Of us; but
glance which we exchanged over Tres
sizes unconscious head told me that she
was satisfied now that had heard all that
was going on in the hours when was
left for dead.
But she kept my secret. and it was
not until Theresa and had been mar
ried two years that the secret was ever
revealed. Kitty at that time also told
Lima what her share in the matter had
been, and the two women have not
spoken since.